- Oil India Ltd (OIL) has reported a significant natural gas discovery off the Andaman Islands, marking the first confirmed hydrocarbon occurrence in the region.
- Hydrocarbon Resource Assessment Study (HRAS): Estimates 371 MMTOE (Million Metric Tons of Oil Equivalent) in the AN Basin.
- It is part of the Bengal-Arakan sedimentary system.
- Lies at the tectonic boundary of the Indian and Burmese plates lead to the creation of stratigraphic traps conducive for hydrocarbon accumulation.
- Previous gas finds in North Sumatra (Indonesia) and Irrawaddy-Margui (Myanmar) suggest similar potential in Andaman. Read More
Home / Daily Current Affairs / 27-09-2025
Daily Current Affairs – 27 September, 2025
PDF - The Supreme Court acknowledged that a complete firecracker ban could lead to illegal market capture by the mafia, citing a past example in Bihar's mining industry.
- The SC called for a “balanced approach”, a policy that would ensure that the right to earn a livelihood in the firecracker industry would co-exist with the right to a clean environment without suffering from the after-effects of air pollution.
- The Bench directed the Environment Ministry to find a solution that would weigh in all the considerations.
- Green Crackers Allowed: Meanwhile, the court allowed manufacturers, who have been certified by NEERI and PESO to produce green crackers, to continue their operations. Read More
Firecracker Ban: Balancing Environmental Protection and Social Justice
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About
- India celebrated World Tourism Day 2025, highlighting sustainable tourism and advancing the vision of a Viksit Bharat.
- World Tourism Day, observed annually on September 27, is an initiative of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
- It commemorates the adoption of the UNWTO statutes in 1970 and was celebrated for the first time in 1980. Read More
World Tourism Day
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About
- The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) has postponed the publication of its latest science and technology analysis due to a weak response from private Research & Development (R&D) firms.
- In 2020–21, India spent only 0.64% of its GDP on scientific research – the lowest since 1996 (excluding defence research).
- Industrially developed countries such as the United States, China, Japan, Finland, South Korea, and Germany spend anywhere from 1.5% to 3.5% of their GDP on R&D.
- Another concern is the funding mix: About 75% of India’s R&D spending comes from the public sector, whereas in most advanced economies, private firms contribute the major share. Read More
Survey on R&D Postponed Due to Weak Response from Private Sector
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Findings of the 2023 Survey
- Recently, researchers from the Central University of Rajasthan (CUoR) have successfully grown wheat on desert land using an innovative ‘soilification technology’ powered by an indigenous bioformulation.
- Desertification is defined as land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas due to various factors including climatic variations and human activities.
- According to the Space Applications Centre of ISRO, about 30% of India’s total geographical area suffers from degradation, with nearly 25% affected by desertification. Read More
Desertification in India & Farming Technology
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About Desertification
- The Ministry of Home Affairs extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in parts of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland for another six months.
- Alleged human rights violations including cases of extrajudicial killings, torture, and disappearances.
- Considered against democratic ethos, limiting fundamental rights such as life and liberty (Article 21).
- Limited success in addressing insurgency, often seen as fuelling resentment among local populations. Read More
AFSPA extended in parts of Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal
In News
Criticisms
- Senior advocate R. Venkataramani is re-appointed as the Attorney General of India for two years.
- The Attorney General of India (AGI) is the highest law officer and the chief legal advisor to the Government of India, appointed by the President under Article 76 of the Constitution.
- Represents the Union Government in the Supreme Court and High Courts in all cases where the government is a party.
- Appointed by the President and holds office during the pleasure of the President without a fixed tenure.
- Must be qualified to be appointed a judge of the Supreme Court (i.e., a Supreme Court judge or an advocate for at least 10 years, or an eminent jurist as per the President’s opinion). Read More
